Switching means for effecting electrotherapeutic treatment



Dec. 4, 1928.

M. R. WAGGONER SWITCHING MEANS FOR EFFECTING ELECTROTHBRAPEUTIC TREATMENT Filed June 29, 1923 /NVENTOR l @l l I I eI xxi..

MCLANCTHON R. WAGGONER EY M16, @QQ

Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELANCTHON R. WAGGONER, OFf CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, ASSIGNOB T MOINTOSH ELECTRICAL CORPORATION, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F DELA- WARE.

SWITCHING MEANS FOR EFFECTING ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT.

Application tiled June 29, 1923. Serial No. 648,427.

io various mechanisms of the body are in direct physiological rhythm with the respiratory action.

Heretofore it has been attempted to secure' rhythmic action of the applied modality, -in

vvarious ways, for example, in one case it has been proposed that the operator hold .an electric switch in one hand, said ,switch being connected in the circuit of the application of the desired modality to the patient, and, with the other hand on the pulse of the patient,

that he operate the switch at each pulse beat. Second, it has been proposed to insert in the circuit of the modality employed, an auto` matic electric switch similar to the flasher type of switches employed for controlling intermittent illumination of electric signs. Third, it has been proposed to periodically open and close the circuit applying the desired modality to the patient by means of an automatic switch similar to the well known metronome employed for timing musical work, the device being modified to the extent that the weighted vibrating arm controls electric contacts to close and open the same for each vibration of the arm. Fourth, in many cases the application of the desired modality to the patient is controlled by mechanically rotated switching devices, in the form of non-continuous collector rings or commutator segments arranged to give different rates or periodicities of circuit opening and closing, the rates being further variable by changing the rate of rotation of the collector rings or segments.

The illustrations given show clearly the attempts that have been made to realize perfect rhythm of ap lication of current impulses to the patient being treated and as far as I am aware the last named method of applicaltion and control, is the closest ap roach heretofore made in the art to a per ect solution of the problem.

By my invention, I secure first a closure of the electric circuit applying the desired modality to the patient, at precisely .the'in- -stant of the beginning of each inspiration of the patient; second, I maintain said electric circuit in closed condition during the entire period of each inspiration and third, I open `said circuit exactly at the beginnin of each exhalation of the patient, all of this eing accomplished automatically and in perfect rhythm with the breathing of the patient regardless of variations that may occur either in the duration of successive inspirations and exhalations and regardless also of the degree of inhalations and exhalations.

The means employed foruecuring the operation above described, consists essentially of a switching mechanism adapted to be included in the circuit of the particular modality to be applied to the patient, which switching mechanism is secured to the body of the patient for actuation during the treatment, by the breathing of the patient. The switching mechanism referred to is constructed so that suitable switch contacts included in the circuit referred to, are closed by the slightest expansion of the chest during inhalation, said contacts being maintained in closed condition during the entire eriod of expansion and opened to interrupt t e circuit at the instant there is the slightest contraction of the chest from its expanded condition, the opening being followed by a second closure of the contacts at the moment a second expansion of the chest occurs, whether at thel instant of the beginning of the second expansion, the wall of the chest is in the same position as that Occupied at the instant of the beginninor of the first expansion or not. To accommodate 1rregularities in the intervals of inhalations and irregularities in the extent of inhalations, my improved switching mechanism contains a member movable relatively to the casing of the switching mechanism, against the action of a light spring, the amountofpossible movement being sufficient to comfortably aecommoda-te the expansion of any patient during breathing. The switching mechanism is secured to the chest of the patient by means of a suitable belt having one end secured to the casing of the mechanism and passing around the body of the patient to the said movable member, to which it is secured in a manner to slightly compress the said sprin for a condition of maximum contraction o? the chest of the patient. The movable one of the switch contacts is mounted in the casing in light frictional engagement with the movable member in such a manner that for any move-ment of the movable member to increase the compression of said spring, the movable contact is moved into engagement with the fixed switch contact, regardless of the position of the movable member at the beginning of the compression of the' spring. That is to say, for any operation of the movable swit-ch contact to its closed position, the movable member may immediately before said operation, be in one position and for another operation of the movable switch Contact to its closed position1 the movable member may be in a different position and yet move the movable switch contact to its closed position by either movement of the movable member. In other words, the construction is such that it is immaterial what position the movable member occupies when, after an expansion of said spring', the movable member is moved in a direction'to compress it, since at the instant of reversal of motion of the movable mei'nber to compress the spring, the movable switch contact is moved to engage the fixed switch contact. The frictional engagement referred to is suli'cently light to be readily overcome by the-spring referred to and the movable switch contact is preferably mounted on an arm in a. manner to greatly multiply the movement of that part of the movable contact arm which is frictionally engaged by the movable member. The degree of separation of the movable contact from the fixed contact is controlled byfa stop, preferably so positioned that the extent of maximum opening between the switch contacts is small and just suflicient to openfthe circuit with certainty and furthermore, the movable switch contact is preferably of little weight as a result of which opening or closing of the contacts occurs practically instantaneously upon a reversal of motion of the movable member regardless of the position of the movable member at the time of its reversal of motion and regardless also of whether successive reversals of motion of the movable member occur at the same position of the movable member or at widely different positions of the member. My improved switching mechanism has therefore no natural rate of operation whatever, but is-on the other hand adapted to o crate in perfect synchronism with changes om inhalation to exhalation andvice versa regardless of any irregularities that may occur as to time or extent either of the inhalations or eiihalations.

The means for carrying out my invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of said means, saiddrawings bes ing as follows:

Fig. 1 shows in a diagrammatic view a part of the body of the patient 'to which my improved switching mechanism is attached, and also circuit connections for applying a vdesired modality,

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the-inside of the casing of my improved switching mechansm, the back of the casi being removed to show the construction an 'operation of the parts of the switching mechanism,

Fig. 3 shows in a view similar to Fig. 2 the portions of the movable member engaging the opeirating spring and movable contact arm, an

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 taken along'the line 4 4:A

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the body of the patient is shown diagrammatically at 10 and the casing 11 containing my improved switching mechanism is shown attached to the body of the patient by means of a belt 12 secured at one end to a clip 13 rigidly secured to the casing 11 and at the other end to the projecting end of the Ymovable member 14 of the switching mechanism, a buckle 15 being provided in the belt to adjust it to the chest of the patient so that the spring o f the switching mechanism will be in slightly compressed condition for the most contracted condition of the chest of the patient. switching mechanism is attached as described to the portion of the chest or abdomen where expansion and contraction due to breathing, are most pronounced. .Terminals 16 and 17 are mounted on the casing 11 forconnection with wires 18 and 19 leading respectively to electrodes 20, 2() and one terminal 21 of the modality supplying mechanism 22. The other terminal 23 of thecurrent supplying mechanism 22 is connected by wire 24 wit another electrode 25. Theeiectrodes 20. 20 and 25 are applied to the body of the patient in proximity to the nerve terminals and nerve centers to be affected by the treatment. The current supplying mechanism 22 is prefer- In practicerthev lll ably provided with a regulating device 26 in Y current source may be any of the well` known l current modalities whether faradic, galvanic, sinusoidal, higlr frequency or other preferred modality, generated, contrQlled and delivered 13 and conta-ins a movable member 14, preferably of sheet metal which extends entirely -across the upper portion of the casing 11, a

clearance opening 11 being formed in the edge of the casing 11 adjacent the outer end of the member 14 to permit said member to move freely through the wall of the casing. The inner end of the member 14 is provided with a longitudinal flange14 and an end flange 14"- to. engage the upper end of a plunger 27 and one end of the spring 28 as'more clearly shown in Fig. 3. The spring- 2'8 encircles. a rod 29 extending between the side walls of the casing, which rod extends through a clearance opening therefor in the flange 14" and in this manner the member 14 is held inthe position indicated and guided by the rod 29 and the clearance opening 1a as it moves from and into the casing 11. he

strength of the spring 28 is small enough'-to permit ready movement of the member 14 for any amount or degree of expansion of the chest of the patient and yet of sufficient strength to positively mo\e the member 14 to the position indicated in Fig. 2 when the belt 12 is released.

The plunger 27 is carried in a correspond- -ing bore in the upper end of a bar 30 of suitable metal, said bar being pivotally mounted at 31 upon a .second metal bar 32 rigidly secured to the casing 11. A light spring 33 is containedin the bore in the bar 30 in engagement with the plunger 27 to hold said plunger in engagement with the outer surface of the flange 14. The'plunger 27 is preferably of insulating material, for example hard rubber, and the surface of the flange 14'I engaged thereby is preferably smooth so I that the degree of frictional engagement between the plunger and the flange is small and insufficient to materially interfere with movement of the member 14 due to breathing of the patient and yet sufficient to positively move the bar 30 on its'pivotal support 31. The lower end of the bar 30 has extending therefrom a relatively long metal arm 34 of small cross section, which carries at its lower end a movable switch Contact 35, which for one position of the bar 30 engages a fixed stop 3G secured to the wall of the casing and which for the other position of the bar 30 engages the fixed contact 37 of the switching mechanism. The fixed contact 37 is supported in line with the contact 35 by a metal clip 38 conformed to encircle and engage a metal rod 39 projecting through a suitable clearance opening therefor in the side Wall of the casing. Theinner end of the rod 39 is rigidly secured to the inner end of a similar rod 40 of insulating material mounted to slide in a second clip 41 from which a switch contact 42-extends towards the metal rod 39. The rod 40 extends through a suitable clearance opening therefor in the side wall of the casing opposite to that containing the rod 39 and tne rods are therefore supported in the metal clips 38 and 41 so that they may be reciprocated through said clips by pressure on the projecting end of the rod 39 or the projecting end of the rod 40, as the case may be. The upper surface of the rod 40 within the casing is flattenedas indicated at 40a and the inner end portion of the rod 39 is similarly flattened as indicated at 39d to be engaged by the spring contact 42, the shoulders adjacent the ends of the flat-tened portions serving as stops to limit the longitudinal movement of the combined rod 39, 40. The clips 38 and 41 are provided with base lugs 35 and 41a for securing said clips' to the casing 11 and the fastening devices employed for this purpose also secure in electrical contact with said lugs the terminals 43 and 44 respectively of the electrical conductors 45 and 46 connected at their other ends with the terminal 16 and the bar 32 respectively. A third electrical conductor 47 connects the bar 32 with the terminal 17 of the switching mechanism.

As a result Aof the construction described when the member 14 is moved to the left from the position of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, the bar 30 is rotated around to the left on its pivotal support 31 andthe contacts 35 and 37 are brought into engagement with each other, thus establishing electrical connection between the terminals 16 and 17 of the switching mechanism through t-he arm 34 and the conductors 45 and 47. Movement to the right of the member 14, for the relation of parts shown in Fig. 2, moves the contact 35 from engagement with the contact 37, interrupting electrical connection between the terminals 16 and 17 of the switching mechanism, assuming that the rods 39 and 40 are in the position indicated in Fig. 2.

It will be observed from the construction described, that whatever may be the position of the member 14, if its direction of motion is reversed` to produce corresponding operation of the bar 30 and the movable switch contact 37, or in other words for any position of the plunger 27 on the flange 14, -a slight and almost imperceptible reciprocation of the member 14 will move the contact 35 from the stop 36 to the fixed contact 37 and vice versa and that for all other movements of the inember 14, the flange 14a slips past the end of the plunger' 27 without an appreciable frictional resistance to the motion of the member 14 for either direction of its motion. The device is thus admirably adapted to close the contacts 35 and 37 at the instant inhalation begins and to open or separate these contacts at the instant exhalation begins, regardless. of the Eartieular p osition of the member 14 at the eginning either of inhalation or exhalation and it will further be observed that the slight frictional engagement between the plunger 27 and the flange 14a holds the contacts 35 and 37 inengagement with each other during the ent-ire. period of each inhalation and holds the contact 35 against the fixed stop during the entire period of each exhala-tion, thus insuring that the application of the desired modality shall cont-inne during the entire period of inhalation, whatever may be its degree and length of durat-ion and that the application of said modality is prevented during the entire period of each exhalation regardless of its degree or duration.

At times it is desirable to temporarily interrupt the operation of the automatic circuit controlling devices'above described and this may be effected by moving the rod 39 to the position indicated in Fig. 4, for which position the spring contact 42 engages the rod 39 thus establishing electrical connection betweenthe clips 38and 41 and therefore between the terminals 16 'and 17 of the switching mechanism. This is desirable to insure a closed circuit during testing of the appa# ratus 22 so as to be certain that said apparatus is functioning as desired before beginning the treatment o'f the patient.

Vhile I have shown my invention in the particular embodiment above described, it will be understoood that I do not limit myself to this exact construction as I may employ equivalents known to the art at the time of the filing of this applica-tion without de parting from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In 'a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a bar pivotally mounted in said casing, said bar having an end bore, a 'stud slidably mounted in said bore and projecting therefrom, a spring in said bore tending to move said stud outwardly from said bar, an operating member movable substantially at right angles to said bar and having a surface in engagement with the outer end of said stud, an arm extending from said bar away from said stud, a first electric contact carried by the outer end of said arm, a second electric contact carried by said casing for engagement b v said first contact, and means extendingfrom said oper-Y ating member for connecting said casing to a human body.

2. In a device of the class described. the combination of a casing, a bar pivotally mounted in said casing, said bar having an end bore, a stud slidably vmounted in said bore and projecting therefrom, a spring in said bore tending to move said stud outwardly from said bar, an operating member movable substantially at right angles to said bar and having a surface in engagement with the outer end of said stud, an arm extending from said bar away from said stud, a first electric contact carried by the outer end of said arm. a second electric contact carried by said casing for engagement by said first contact, means extending from said operating member for connecting said casing to a huf man body, and a rod extending transversely of said casing to lguide said member, said member being of sheet metal and having a flange engaging the end of said stud.

3. In a device of the class described, the l' combination of a casing, a bar pivotally mounted in said casing, said bar having an end bore, a stud slidably mounted in said bore and project-ing therefrom, a spring in said bore tending to move said stud outwardly from said bar, an operating member movable substantially at right angles to said bar and having a surface in engagement with the outer end of said stud, an arm extending from said bar away from said stud, a first electric contact carried by the outer end of said arm, a second electric conta'ct carried by said casing for engagement by said first contact, means extending from said operating member for connecting said casing to a human body, a rod extending transversely of said casing 4to guide said member, said member being of sheet metal and having a flange engaging the end of said stud, said operating member also having an end flange encircling said rod, and a spring encircling said rod between said end flange and said casing.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a bar pivotally mounted in said casing, said bar having an end bore, a stud slidably mounted in said bore and projecting therefrom. a spring in said bore tending to move said stud outwardly from said bar, an operating member movable substantially at right angles to said bar and having a surface iu engagement with the outer end of said stud, an arm extending froni said bar away from said stud, a first electric contact carried by the outer end of said arm, a second electric contact caritS ends connected respectively with said base and said operating member, a spring tending to move said operating member to ma1ntain a tension on said exible member, and a switch member actuated by said operating member, said switch member having frictional lgonnection with said operqtin member rmitting excess movement of sai operatmg member in opposite directions with said switch member at rest, whereby each reversal of movement of said operating member actuates said switch member for any position of said operatingmember.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribeV 

